I’m wild about the idea of summer slipcovers — changing one’s furniture covering (or simply adding a new table cloth), in a well-chosen fabric is always a quick and immediately gratifying way to freshen up any room. My little dining room/library here in town is pretty moody with its lacquered aubergine walls and silver holographic ceiling. As the temperatures have been rising, I wanted a room that felt brighter, lighter, crisper, and cooler. A bit of the exotic always helps as well. So I turned to my friends at Quadrille who are certainly at the top of my list of go-to resources for ultra chic fabrics and wall coverings. Quadrille’s China Seas collection provided the most perfect selection of fabrics to choose from, and Island Ikat in pale aqua on white did the trick — the pale aqua is a spot-on match to my living room wall color and ties the whole flat together quite nicely — with an overall effect that provides a dash of Lyford Cay-esque tropical splendor.

James Andrew, Quadrille transformation.

There is a softness and luxury that fabrics can bring to a room, and my new table cloth is already providing a splendid backdrop for my summer repasts. I switched out my Dodie Thayer tureen with a vintage Este white melon tureen to lighten the look even further. This aqua and white cloth will look super chic with plates in turquoise, coral, blues and malachite — stay tuned for photos!

There is so much to love about North Fork, and a simple bike ride sure can bring back some carefree childhood days. It’s actually important I think to stay in touch with that; a place where anything is possible, where we aren’t really caught up in the fear of making mistakes, (and often those mistakes lead to new and wonderful discoveries), in short, a place where imagination and fantasy are the rule of the day. I say, don’t grow up. Just be Mr. or Miss Super-Fabulous. Don’t be ashamed to really shine. Pursue those big dreams and crazy fantasies. And, you know, I walk my talk here on WIJW. I love dressing up with friends, wearing Tom Ford, and feeling like a star — when those thoughts, feelings, and a good dose of action are in play, we’re well on the way to making things happen. Let’s bring a little of that childhood excitement into everything that we do!

For years, legendary style icons have been wearing clothing in unconventional ways, which is probably why I love this pajama-style top for day wear! Not only is it a bit unconventional, it’s comfortable, chic, and oh so fresh.

There are a few high profile trend-setters like the very talented Ryan Gosling who’ve gone for the look — see the Ferragamo navy pajama top with white piping he rocked at the Cannes Film Festival — very dashing. My friend Juan Avellaneda, the Barcelona based designer, also features the look, having been inspired by Patricia Highsmith’s character, Dickie Greenleaf, who spent his days in a Mediterranean village, enjoying the sun and sea. Needless to say, that sounds pretty good to us, and we’re wild about this relaxed, bon-vivant collection.

]]>http://www.whatisjameswearing.com/pajama-shirt/feed/7HERITAGE DAY ON THE NORTH FORKhttp://www.whatisjameswearing.com/heritage-day-on-the-north-fork/
http://www.whatisjameswearing.com/heritage-day-on-the-north-fork/#commentsMon, 13 Jul 2015 04:40:43 +0000http://www.whatisjameswearing.com/?p=18485

James Andrew, the North Fork. Photo Scott McBee

Independence Day weekend on the North Fork is one of those genuine slices of Americana that mostly only ever exists in movies and books these days — and it is exactly this small-town yesteryear vibe one longs for after a week of hubbub and worries in the big-town of NYC.

Heritage Day parade, Orient

Heritage Day parade, Orient

You’ll have to agree, these shots of the Heritage Day parade in Orient village are full-blown Norman Rockwell — the folks there have the most marvelous parade with bicycling children, vintage tractors, fire engines, and so-on — you get the picture — a full 20 minutes of Aunt Bee approved apple pie for the eyes that concludes with a heartfelt reading of the Declaration of Independence no less — plenty of hotdogs follow, and they are served on a great lawn to all present!

]]>http://www.whatisjameswearing.com/heritage-day-on-the-north-fork/feed/9INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND ON THE NORTH FORKhttp://www.whatisjameswearing.com/independence-day-weekend-on-the-north-fork/
http://www.whatisjameswearing.com/independence-day-weekend-on-the-north-fork/#commentsThu, 09 Jul 2015 05:25:10 +0000http://www.whatisjameswearing.com/?p=18470

James Andrew North Fork

As you may have gathered by now, we’re in love with the North Fork –– its quaint charm and refreshing un-Hampton vibe is the perfect escape from summer in the city. Needless to say during our last month’s weekend there, we promptly reserved Independence Day weekend for a lovely return visit.

NRP Sagres III

Besides getting to spend quality time with some exquisite and gracious friends, we took part in quite a few enjoyable activities, including the local “Heritage Day” festivities along with a viewing of some grand tall ships in Greenport.

Elliot A. Brooks at the Oyster Ponds Historical Society

A visit to the Oyster Ponds Historical Society was also a delight — an exhibition there of 1940s seascape/marine oil paintings depicting scenes based in Orient and East Marion by the artist Elliot A. Brooks (1888– 1949) was an added treat. There’s a wonderfully life-affirming wholesomeness about these painterly oils that left us all feeling recharged and appreciating the long seafaring heritage of the area.

Hadleighs royal gingham tasseled slippers

I’m not sure the locals fully appreciated my sartorial splendor — in fact I was bellowed at, one fellow indicating that I was over-dressed (we were on our way to our photo shoot), my response was simply to quote Oscar Wilde, “one can never be overdressed or overeducated.”

After the show I had a chance to chat with Markus about the evolution of her paintings and the transition from painting socialites to examining sixties style-icons.

“The idea for the Girlfriends of the Rolling Stones,” Markus tells us, “…was sparked while looking for images of socialites for my Town & Country series. I was looking for images of the rather uptight, well-heeled set but kept coming across these alluring images of sexy, rock and roll, fashion icons with an unmistakably strong and independent look in their eye. Where the Town & Country socialites are the height of sophistication, these woman display a louche decadence. The socialites are determined, these women are mischievous. While the power of the ladies who lunch came from their social status and connections, these sixties icons found theirs in their sexuality, daring style, and talent. I love both groups and am fascinated by their differences. Referring to them as the girlfriends of the Rolling Stones was a working title that easily encompassed the kind of woman I was looking for but I don’t use it without some ambivalence about describing them only by their relationship to the men in their lives. These women were every inch the equal to the boys in the band. They just knew it was cool to hang out with the Stones.”

This exceptional must see exhibition is on display at 199 Mott Street NYC and open through July 26th 12-6 PM Tuesday – Saturday or by appointment ( admin@insituworks.com). You will want to snap up one of these portraits to add a bit of lovely, louche. jet-set glamour to your interior.

Additionally, Markus will be having a follow-up show to Town & Country called Summer Time Girls which will take place in the Hamptons. (will follow up with details).

North Fork provided our own Scott McBee and I with some truly lovely languid days — reading, lounging and generally being grateful for the change of pace. It was the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends while getting aquatinted with this beautiful place.

A few minutes walk is the village of Orient where we had a bite at the charming little Orient Country Store — for the most scrumptious desserts one only has to head to the Four & Twenty Blackbirds pie shop. If you are in the mood, a little shopping at the Old Orchard Farm Store will find you a sensational assortment of reasonably priced things.

A little tour on our hosts’ boat gave us an entirely different perspective of North Fork and its sublime seaside setting — needless to say, we’ve already sorted out a plan for the 4th of July holiday weekend there.

A few years ago the New York Times did a piece on the Long Island’s North Fork, nicknaming it the “un-Hampton” — needless to say when dear friends from Palm Beach told me they were renting a house there and expected me to be a regular guest, we were on our way on the first Jitney! Everything about North Fork is what the Hamptons were like twenty-five years ago — seaside /country living — so charming and unpretentious, North Fork was exactly what we needed for a genuine weekend escape from the city.

North Fork

We had a couple of long and luxurious days lounging on one of the little beaches, strolling through the towns, eating lovely luncheons and divine dinners (all served al fresco, of course). The whole experience was just heavenly!

North Fork interior

I’m photographed by Scott McBee (top) in front of the Webb House – a marvelous mansion that apparently provided legendary architect David Adler with inspiration for the doors he designed for the William McCormick Blairs Lake Bluff home.

With the look and feel of a glamorous uber chic Tribeca loft, Roark Modern is certainly one of my favorite destinations for antique furniture. This indispensable resource is the brainchild of Lisa Bowles who began her career as an interior designer. She’s always sought out-of-the-way places — the back streets of Paris, remote villages in Southern France, Spain, Italy, etc. — to bring her clients the most unusual and rarely seen furniture and objects. Fortunately for all of us, Bowles brings this same approach to her ravishing showroom, sharing a masterful mix of styles and periods selected with natural flair and a deep knowledge of all things antique.

Roark Modern

Here the super stylish Bowles is constantly arranging and re-arranging, creating what she likes to call moments — vignettes and interesting juxtapositions of periods and styles inviting one to look at things with fresh eyes. Of course these ravishing vignettes never last very long because the pieces are always quickly snapped up by some of the most influential designers and taste makers around! That being said, do make a point to visit Roark Modern often – there will always be something new to delight and inspire!

In a letter from the Frick’s director Ian Wardropper, we’ve receive the best news we could possibly hope for:

After months of public dialogue and thoughtful consideration and weighing the potential for a protracted appoval process against the Frick’s pressing needs, the Board of Trustees has decided to approach the expansion plan in a way that avoids building on the garden site.

In short, our beloved Russell Page garden at the Frick has been saved! Turns out our votes counted and our voices were heard — it shows that collectively we can indeed make a difference!

The Frick Garden by Kate Schelter

The Frick Garden by Jonathan Myles Lea

There are so many who should be thanked for their tireless efforts, ideas, support, and resources — Marina Rust, Kate Schelter, Kate Belin, Jonathan Myles-Lea, Madison Cox, Annette de la Renta, Giancarlo Giammetti, Peter Pennoyer, Robert A.M. Stern, fellow bloggers like Heather Clawson, etc. etc. Rachel Feinstein who was instrumental in mobilizing artists to create a group letter, the Historic Districts Council, Friends of the Upper East Side Historic Districts, Defenders of the Historic Upper East Side, the expertise and leadership of the Cultural Landscape Foundation as well as the Garden Club of America, and of course everyone at Unite to Save the Frick — all of whose collective efforts have been critical in persuading the powers that be to preserve this glorious bit of hallowed ground.